Anyone live in Las Vegas area?

[rightrudder]

I live in the Vegas area, and would hardly call it an "armpit".
Most people who live here do not participate in the "vegas lifestyle" as others here described. I don't find myself hanging out in casinos gambling, drinking, staying up all hours of the night clubbing. I live in a nice, quiet residential area that is neither dusty nor crime-ridden. We have nice, modern areas to shop, go to movies, tons a golf courses, all the entertainment you could want, civic centers, libraries, museums, and parks and recreation. Many families live here for the low cost of living (and freedom from a lot of taxes) and nice weather. There's a lot more to the Vegas area than casinos, topless bars and the strip.

It's even a pleasure in the summer to return home to the 110 degree dry heat when i've been hanging out in other cities with 90 degree/90 percent humidity.

I've spent a lot of time in Seattle and formerly lived in California, and while the Las Vegas area isn't as nice a place to live as some places, it is hardly a place to avoid. Unless you have a gambling problem.

 

[JediNein]

Vegas is NOT the true armpit of the west. Battle Mountain is.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/05/12/offbeat.nevada.pit.ap/index.html

 

[350DRIVER]

"lack of character and charm,"

After reading the article I feel a little better about myself- LOL


3 5 0

 

[de727ups]

tinman

N9638V. First flew her in the fall of 1984 and I'd guess I have 100 hours in that bird. I think LMA had two 172M's, back then, and the "new guys" got to fly them. Later, the "guys that didn't kiss ass" got stuck with the 172's....and that would have been me. I kinda liked flying the smaller planes (guess that's why I'm still on the 727 after all these years).

I wouldn't worry about the airframe time. Sandy took great care of Earl's planes, I thought....and I think Earl knew better than skimping on maintenance in a single engine 135 outfit. Plus, a desert enviornment, 100 hour inspections, Part 135 maintenance standards, and no flight instruction, would make me not worry about a high time airframe.

Do you mind saying what you paid for her? What ever happened to Art and Earl?

I do remember having issues with oil temps in the red arc coming out of the canyon in the summer in the 172's. Sandy said as long as the pressure is okay, don't worry about it. Never had any trouble with his advice. Did have trouble with vapor lock on takeoff in a T207 out of Marble Canyon once though....that's another story....

 

[TurboS7]

I love LAS my wife hates it. If a big earthquake happened and the earth split right down Las Vegas Blvd and it all fell in my wife would rejoice. My last trip there we had to sit at Nellis for two hours and watch the Thunderbirds, real pain. I admit that I have also contributed to the building of serveral hotels along the strip. I just keep going back to see how my investment is going. "Where you treasure is there will your heart be also." I like the desert. You think it is dark going up the east coast TB try walking out in the desert at night, especially around Tonopoah(sp), it is really dark there.

 

[desert pilot]

HEY Tinman,about the auction...

What did the planes go for at the lake mead auction?thanx

 

[tinman]

38V went for $27,000. As far as the others, I didn't pay to much attention. We wanted a 207, but we were idiots and didn't bid when we had the chance. I think the 207's went for $60,000 to $111,000. I think the owners' health was going downhill and nobody wanted to take over, so they got out. That was the word on the street anyways.
We are going to put a new radio and intercom in, and then fly the He!! out of her. I flew her home Fri. and she seemed to fly great.

 

[avbug]

Earl's health is bad, but that' wasn't it. It was the insurance increases that killed the deal. An investor was supposed to step up, but it didn't happen.

 

[ifly4food]

It seems that most of the people who put down Vegas have never lived there.

Someone said that most Vegas residents don't live the "Vegas lifestyle". That's true to some degree. Others moved there for the lifestyle. The bottom line is that it's up to you. You can live in Henderson or Summerlin, and it will be a lot like any suburb of Phoenix. Or you can live near the strip and "live the dream". It's up to you.

Vegas sucks in the summer. It's dusty, windy, smoggy, and hotter than hell. Even at night it's hot... the air is stale and hot like a blow dryer blowing in your face. Those "dry heat" people only say that to laugh and watch the Easterners sweat. I don't care how "dry" the heat is, when it's 110 in the shade and the inside of your parked car is about 350. My oven is a dry heat too, but I wouldn't stick my head in it.

In the winter, Vegas rocks. It's in the 50s-60s and mostly clear. In the mountains there's snow.

There is a lot of traffic in vegas and it's very crowded for a city of its size. A lot of highway construction proects have been stalled by environmentalists which hasn't helped. Vegas is growing much faster than its infrastructure, which is plaguing a lot of the desert cities.
Vegas does manage to be cheaper than, say Phoenix, due to Lake Mead (cheap electric and water) and no income tax. While the days of $5 steak buffets are gone, you can still eat pretty well in the off strip casinos for not much money. Sam's Town comes to mind as well as the Stations. These are casinos mostly frequented by locals (no tourists=good).
There's a lot of outdoors stuff to do too. Lake Mead is right there, as well as Red Rock Canyon and the mountains if you like hiking. Mt Charleston rises to about 11000 ft and is very nice in the summer. It's snow covered most of the winter. The Grand Canyon is about a three hour drive.

For flying you would want to go to North Las Vegas (VGT). You'll make a lot of good contacts there. I know a good instructor there, PM me if you're interested and I'll give you his name. VGT is where Scenic Airlines is based.

All in all, I don't think Vegas would be a bad town for a young person starting out if you can take the heat in the summer. There's plenty to do if you want to, but unlike most tourist places (like Florida), you can get away from the crowds if you want since they mostly stick to the strip.
The canyon scene may be dying, but for training and instructing it's a good place to be. You will have good flying weather nearly every day and you'll make good contacts. Good luck

 

[j77mitch]

I grew up in the Seattle area and moved to Vegas. Go to Vegas to get what you need to get done and then I'd say get out, because if your like me the dessert makes someone from the NW pretty sick of it pretty quickly. Try Air Grand Canyon once you have 750hrs. you'll build time pretty quickly. I got everything I wanted to get out of Vegas in about six months and am now back up north enjoying the fresh air.

 

[House_X]

Vegas is a great place to be if your young...lot's of women who work at the casino's, showbiz etc. I know some pilots who live there...they seem to enjoy it. If your fresh out of college...it's perfect.

I guess people who don't like Vegas must hate getting laid all the time and partying on their days off.

 

[chperplt]

Vegas is changing every day. You can live there and have as much, or as little interaction with the typical "Vegas life" as you want. I live 6 miles southwest of the strip, and it's just like living in any other city.

The only difference between Vegas and most cities.. I don't pay state income tax; I don't pay high property taxes; I have a 2700 Sq foot 1 year old house that cost me what most people pay for something half that size and 20 years old.

Living in Vegas is awesome!!!